
RAFAEL BENITEZ insists he has been assured Real Madrid will not try to sign Steven Gerrard in January after inevitable speculation over the Liverpool skipper's future flared up again.
Reports on Sunday claimed Madrid president Florentino Perez would make a £22million move for Gerrard (pictured) in the transfer window after stating: "He is the type of player who would suit the famous shirt of Real Madrid."
But Benitez revealed he spoke to contacts at Madrid and his star midfielder when the story first surfaced two weeks ago - and was assured it was false.
"I read about Real Madrid and Steven but I am sure it is not true," said the Liverpool manager. "I have spoken to the player and to people in Madrid and they told me it was not true. Maybe someone just needed some news!
"We will have plenty of time to enjoy Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. I hope he will be here with us for years."
Liverpool's Champions League ambitions, meanwhile, have been improved by the news Monaco will be without star striker Javier Saviola in tomorrow's Group A opener at Anfield.
Saviola, who scored for Monaco in Saturday's 3-1 win over Strasbourg, will miss the game through suspension after being sent off playing for Barcelona in Europe last season.
Benitez admits Monaco will present a much different test to his new regime than West Brom did on Saturday, although Didier Deschamps's side have lost half the players who reached last season's final.
Fernando Morientes and Dado Prso have gone to Real Madrid and Rangers respectively, while Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona), Hugo Ibarra (Porto), Tony Sylva (Lille), Edouard Cisse and Jerome Rothen (both Paris St Germain) have also departed.
Benitez said: "This is another examination of me and how the players are reacting to the new life here. Playing Monaco will be a test for us, but I am looking for my team to show strength - mentally and physically. I am still building."
Monaco are currently fifth in the French League and Benitez added: "Obviously I know them and we have followed their progress. They have extremely good players and are well organised."